A Chance of Redemption for Manics

A near full strength Manics
side faced Bracknell Strikers this weekend, both aiming to pick up on
recent form and go for three points.

Manics could have conceded early on; after 3 minutes play, David Fenton
made a great challenge to keep the score 0-0 closing Strikers forward
before he could shoot. Strikers corner was a goal mouth scramble, eventually
to the relief of the Manics fans, Elliott Fairs cleared the ball from
danger.

Bracknell Manics soon received their first yellow card. This week Aaron
Goddard was booked in retaliation after he thought he was pushed first,
flying in soon after as the referee waved play on.

Next, Goddard had a chance to score. Gareth Jones crossed a good ball
into the box from the right wing towards Goddard for a free header. Goddard
was unlucky, connecting badly for the Strikers keeper to collect with
ease.

Manics then found themselves under pressure again for the second time
- another corner, and another goal mouth scramble. But a swift counter
attack, first a clearance by Glenn Evans and then some nice passing play,
ended up with Jones playing Alan Matthias
through on goal. Matthias took a touch, composed himself beating the defender
and then tucking the ball away to make it 1-0.

10 minutes later, Gary Sarney shot over the bar after Matthias made a
good run down the left, and Ryan Warman added pressure when his 20 yard
shot was just off target.

In the second, Manics conceded from what was a very sloppy goal. Poor
marking again for the third week running, saw the ball bounce awkwardly
in the box, before an unmarked Strikers player got a touch and fumbled
the ball over the line.

Strikers really picked up on their game, and Manics were forced to defend
for the next 10 before changes were made. Gareth Jones and Alan Matthias
would come off to be replaced last season's striking pair, Barry O'Connell
and Mark Robertson together again for the first time this season.

Manics turned the game around, after another 5 minutes hard battling.
Mark Robertson took the Manics ahead, heading
the ball over the line from Barry O'Connell's first header towards goal.

Strikers went to sleep conceding two more. O'Connell's unselfish play
to Gary Sarney made it 3-1 and then O'Connell's
1-on-1 made it 4-1, Gavin Baker assisting the final goal.